Cambodia Aids Democracy by Pardoning Opposition, U.S. Govt Says

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Cambodia Aids Democracy by Pardoning Opposition, U.S. Govt Says

Feb. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Cambodia's pardon for opposition leader Sam Rainsy, who lives in exile in France, should allow his return and strengthen the democratic process in the country, the U.S. State Department said.

``We look forward to the return of Sam Rainsy and the full resumption of the role of the opposition in political dialogue of Cambodia,'' State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in an e-mailed statement from Washington.

Sam Rainsy and opposition lawmaker Cheam Channy were pardoned two days ago by King Norodom Sihamoni after a request from Prime Minister Hun Sen, Agence France-Presse reported at the time from the capital, Phnom Penh.

Sam Rainsy was jailed for 18 months in absentia in December on charges of defaming Hun Sen and Prince Norodom Ranariddh, the president of the National Assembly. The United Nations and human rights groups such as Amnesty International have said Cambodia's government is using law courts to try to silence the opposition.

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